Choi Yun-hui

Choi Yun-hui (Korean: 최윤희; Hanja: 崔允喜; born 1 September 1967) is a South Korean swimmer served as the 2nd Vice Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism under President Moon Jae-in from 2019 to 2020.[1] She is the first woman and second professional sports player [2]to become deputy head of the Ministry or its preceding agencies. She completed in two events at the 1984 Summer Olympics.[3][4]

Choi is the younger sister of Choi Yun-jung,[lower-alpha 1] who also competed internationally for South Korea in swimming. The two were nicknamed the "Seal Sisters", and were noted for frequently both breaking national backstroke records at the same time.[5] Choi began learning to swim while in kindergarten through lessons at the YMCA.[6] Both sisters attended Seoul National University Middle School,[lower-alpha 2] and represented their school in swimming at the national level.[7] Following the 1984 Olympics, she won gold in the 100 m and 200 m backstroke at the 1986 Asian Games.[8]

In 1987, she became the first South Korean model for the Japanese sports drink brand Pocari Sweat.[9] In 2017, she was named the first ever woman to become board member of the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee.[10][3]

Choi holds two degrees in physical education - a bachelor and a master's - from Yonsei University.[1]